Mumbai Mirror

Lately I've been wondering

what makes you tick

what brings you 

from your British home

tongue clicking,wet saliva

hanging from your lip by 

threads of hope,

footprints like french kisses 

in your wake

Lately I've been wondering

about what you think 

you can't even read

the rape headlines, smell

the Bombay Sapphire air, taste

the vendor cabbage and

bad Chinese takeaways, see

the saris long-dried, now burning 

to a crust, while the river-man washes

everyone's clothes, the dust sinking

like rocks

Later you'll look up, fantasize

about golden coins: 

tea prices are rising (this you know);

step over something: your children?

hail the taxi you can't afford

see where it takes you